For the Sake of the Horse, Horse People, & Animal Agriculture

1. For the Sake of the Horse, Horse People, & Animal Agriculture An NCSL Resolution for Common Sense & Compassion

2. What happens when an entire sector of animal agriculture is rendered worthless… • What happens to… • Markets • Transportation • Value • Animal Welfare • Disposal • Private Property Rights • Costs to States & Taxpayers • Waste of it All

3. How Big is the Problem? • 10 million horses in the US • Over 9 million in private sector • At least 33,000 on BLM • 31,000 in holding pens • 1%-2% of private horses used to be processed • Most un-useable horses are worthless • Zero market for brood mares, weanlings, yearlings

4. US Plants Closed Sept 2007… Before 2007 Past 15 years – 1 to 2 % sent for processing in U.S. - +/- 100,000 10 – 20,000 sent to Canada 6,000 – 12,000 to Mexico U.S. plants closed as of Sept 2007 Mexico accepted over 45, 000 US horses Canada accepted over 30,000 In 2008 As of August 14 32,443 head to Mexico, 2007 by this date, 22, 632* *USDA Market News US to Mexico Weekly Livestock Export Summary

5. So, what can you do with an un-useable horse? Sell to another owner Sell at auction Give away Euthanize Send to processing facility Neglected/Abandoned

6. Equine Recovery Facilities Fall 2007/ Early 2008 30 or more rescues across the country Most echoed the same concerns

7. Recovery Comments from Early 2008 Georgia: the number of unwanted horses has gone through the roof. Indiana: contacts to facility up four fold Maryland: 3 – 5 calls a day, have to turn many away. Washington: rescue full. Seeing more sickly horses Texas: rescues are expected to clean up the mess created by the short sightedness of some groups

8. Neglected Horses

9. Neglected Horses taken in by USU

10. August 08 Recovery Comments Huge increase in number of people not wanting to keep their horses Some rescues have gotten hate mail if they express their opinion on horse processing Donation upon taking a horse in 3 – 4 calls a day now compared to 3 – 4 a month previously

11. Recovery comments cont’. Not only receiving local calls but now from other states Better quality, ie registered horses Not getting the number of horses adopted out as in the past Horses in poorer condition Many have not been handled as should have been More calls on neglect or abuse cases For first time having to place horses with other rescues, financially strapped. $500 for 1st three months then $250 after that. $200 a month per head not including farrier

12. Horse Auction Companies Fall 07/Early 08 15 -20 auction companies across the country Worried about the future Horses left at the auction facility Low end horses have no market High quality horses still have market

13. Auction Company Cont.’ The horse market is in crisis Owners can no longer count on getting any money back when they want to sell Concern over being able to continue with horse auctions The horse that yesterday was a $5000 horse today is a $2000 horse Seeing more business coming from out of country, ie Canadians or Europeans buying horses because of weak dollar One owner indicated that in 2007 20% of his business was out of country, in 2008 45% out of country.

14. Auction Companies August 08 Have begun screening horses coming in. Low end and mid range horses market has bottomed out. Horses bring half or less than what they would have brought two years ago. Broodmares, weanling and yearling no market Horses now hauled much longer distances if going for processing Consignments down 30% Solid broke geldings sell Average horse owner with horse of average pedigree has no market Do not see it getting better in the near future More than one company has canceled fall sales Family run businesses established for decades may shut down

15. Abandoned Horses

16. What has contributed to the number of neglected or “unwanted” horses? High hay costs High feed costs Bad economy Lost jobs High gas and food costs Housing market Closing of the processing facilities

17. BLM Information end of 08 2007 - $22 million for holding costs nationally 2008 – 70% of BLM budget will go towards maintaining the horses 2009 - predict that 80% of total budget will be needed to cover these costs 2012 – to continue its current removal and holding practices, the BLM will need $77 million

18. BLM Holding Sites Short term facilities Hold horses for adoption Up to about 6 months but if not adopted will hold them longer

19. BLM Long Term Holding Long term facilities locations Pasture setting Horses may remain for years Implications Land use Cost

20. Costs per horse At BLM holding facilities- $6 per day per horse At prison facilities- $3 per day per head Long term facilities- $1.30 per day per head

21. Adoption Program From October 1, 07 thru July 30, 08 Nationally adopted 2771, TARGET number is 5000 Seeing more returns than in the past Utah- Past years 12 – 15 returns per year 2007 took back 47 animals 2008 may reach 50 returns

22. Adoption Program Cont.’ Adoptions have bottomed out June 08- Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado adopted out less than 50 head, typically would adopt 150 head. July 08- 12 horses adopted out of 55, typically 50 – 60% would have been adopted. August 08- 10 out of 55 adopted

23. BLM Cont’. Utah BLM has canceled gathers for rest of year. BLM has the authority to euthanize the horses in holding facilities

24. BLM Options • Selling without options • Mustang Heritage Foundation picture • Mustang Challenge • Fertility vaccines • Euthanizing

25. History of Horse Processing Americans have eaten horse meat throughout our history America has provided horse meat to other countries for decades

26. The Nature of Horses • Horses are livestock • Private property • Uses • Horses as pets • Alternatives needed

27. Import Market There is a market for horsemeat in the US Since plant closures have had to import horsemeat back in to the US Primarily for zoo meat, but also ethnic markets desiring horsemeat

28. Export Market • Majority of world cultures appreciate horsemeat for nutrition, taste, and value • Most of Europe, Asia, and French Canada • China imports 204,000 metric tons • Mexico 100,000 metric tons • Brazil 100,000 metric tons Frugal Icelanders Prepare For The Holidays Morning Edition, December 11, 2008 · Iceland has been hit by the global financial crisis in a big way. With unemployment surging and the currency collapsing, less expensive traditional staples are coming back into fashion. Frugal Icelanders are avoiding imported beers. They are also buying horse meat, which is half the price of beef.

29. Doesn’t it make sense to use this resource? • 10 million people die of hunger & hunger related diseases every year • 854 million go to bed hungry every night-which is more than the combined populations of the United States, Canada, and the European Union • 24,000 die every day—one every 3.5 seconds Rather than spend taxpayer dollars on horses standing in holding pens that will never be adopted, and cannot be turned back out on an already over-populated, over-grazed range…why not send them to market, feed the hungry, and use the revenue to improve the conditions for other horses and people?

30. The ethics of animal agriculture… • How we treat our animals… • Compassion • Respect • Responsibility • Morals

31. For the good of the horses, and the horse people of this nation…